That lone imperfection can easily be adapted to one's concept of perfection: "Perfection" merely expands to embrace it. The question is whether the ego comes along for the ride. The Shakers seem to have known what they were doing, but while the chairs are fairly easy to "read," the heart is not. Were those gargoyle carvers who contributed their work to the great cathedrals of Europe - and who's attention to detail would never find an audience among the hell-fearing public - carving to such a high standard ad majorem dei gloriam? Or for the eyes of their fellow craftsmen and the skilled maintenance folk who would toil face-to-face with their work? Does it matter?